The USA Patriot Act.

The USA Patriot Act was designed and passed by Congress in just a few weeks after the World Trade Centerterrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 in New York. The USA Patriot Act (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001) significantly increases the surveillance, and investigative powers of law enforcement agencies. It gives federal officials greater authority to track

and intercept communications, both for law enforcement and foreign intelligence gathering purposes. The USA Patriot Act is an extremely valuable tool to protect America and prevent other terrorist acts from occurring if used and enforced properly.

The Patriot Act covers a wide area of items to include, enhanced domestic security, which provides for counter terrorism funds and the use of military assistance in certain emergencies. The Act also provides enhanced surveillance procedures that allow the interception of wire, oral and electronic communications relating to terrorism and computer fraud.

Screenchot of USA PATRIOT Act (German Wikipedia)

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The information collected from these may be shared with other law enforcement agencies for prosecution. Another area of the Patriot Act covers currency crimes. This section has provisions regarding bulk cash smuggling, forfeiture, counterfeiting, money laundering and illegal money transmitting businesses. The Act also has provisions that protect the borders. It ensures adequate personnel on the northern border and has enhanced immigration provisions. There is also a provision that provides funds for victims of terrorism, including public safety officers and their families, that is expedited in the event they are injured or killed in a terrorist related attack. There are many other investigative and enforcement provisions that this Act covers such as, strengthening criminal laws against terrorists, improving intelligence and increased information sharing. All of these items covered will significantly prevent or hinder another attack from occurring.

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